The Area

Banner Elk and the surrounding area of Western North Carolina is an ideal vacation destination for the young and old. Near The Lodge at River Run, you will discover an array of activities and restaurants to fulfill your every need. We have an excellent rapport with all of the wonderful restaurants in the area and would be happy to help you secure a reservation to any of them. Just give us a little lead time, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

For high-end elegant dining, we recommend the Artisinal or the Louisiana Purchase in Banner Elk. Other favorites in the area are Bella’s and Sorrento’s, two excellent Italian restaurants. We also have a secret little pizza place near Roan Mountain, Tennessee that is fabulous. Our local Banner Elk Café has delicious food, and Stonewalls’ offers great steaks. There are several other fine restaurants in Blowing Rock, Linville, and Boone that we can recommend. We have a long list of excellent restaurants that we will be happy to share when you arrive.

The High Country offers great outdoor adventures: from skiing or snowboarding at Beech, Sugar, or Appalachian Mountains to ice skating, tubing, caving, cross-country biking, or hiking the Appalachian Trail or Grandfather Mountain. There is never a season here that you can’t find something fun to do outdoors. Just tell us about your interests and we will be happy to help you.

Whether it is a day trip to Asheville’s Biltmore Manor, shopping in Blowing Rock, or a performance at ASU in Boone, an easy ride in the car will take you to all of these places.

Festivals and craft fairs take place almost every weekend during the summer. In June and July, you can enjoy the famous Highland Games and Singing on the Mountain on Grandfather Mountain. In October, you can take part in the Wooly Worm Festival and Valle Crucis Farm Pumpkin Festival, along with Oktoberfest on Sugar Mountain. In the spring, Merlefest is a worthwhile attraction. And don’t forget to come to the 4th of July Festival and parade down Main Street!

Tweetsie Railroad is a must if you have small children. Gem mining is another activity that is sure to please young and old alike.

There is truly something for everyone in the North Carolina High Country!

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